A Note from the Author
Thank you for spending time in 1895 London with Violet Abrams — and with Bernie, when the occasion demanded it.
The Empty Chairs is the first book in what I hope will be a long series of cases for Violet, Detective Flanahan, Artie, and the rest of the Carter Square household. The Victorian world they inhabit is one I've fallen completely in love with — the fog, the gaslight, the photography studios and police stations, and East End streets where Yiddish mingles with cockney. There's so much more of it to explore, and the dead, as Violet would tell you, are rarely finished talking.
Book Two, The Arranged Death, is already waiting for you — and it's winter now, the cases are darker, and Violet's secrets are becoming considerably harder to keep.
If you have questions about the world, the characters, the history behind the fiction, or anything else that caught your attention, I'd love to hear from you.
Head over to the Camera Macabra Discussion Board right here on World Anvil. I'm there, I'm reading, and I genuinely enjoy talking about this story with the people who've found their way into it.
The next case is just around the corner. Violet's already at the camera.
— Julian
A haunting and atmospheric chapter that blends gothic horror, mystery, and emotional justice in a very compelling way. What inspired the idea of Violet working as both herself and “Bernie” while navigating such a dark supernatural investigation?
I've always been interested in the gender politics of Victorian England. The women who were forced to masquerade as men to work in a strictly patriarchal society. Adding Memento Mori photography and the Grand Guignol was icing on the cake.
That makes a lot of sense. The Victorian gender dynamics really add depth to Violet’s situation. I also like how the Memento Mori and Grand Guignol elements shape the eerie tone of the story. Did any particular historical cases or figures influence Violet’s character?
There were a number of female photographers working at this time in Victorian London. I highly recommend: Beyond the Veil from the Thanatos Collection (a pricey but well-detailed book).
That sounds really interesting! I didn’t know there were many female photographers working in Victorian London. I’ll have to look into that book. Would you like to continue talking on another platform instead of here?
I set up a Discussion Board in the Runeslinger world for extended conversations. Happy to chat there.
Are you on discord or instagram?
I am, but I only speak about my work on WA here.
So what I had in my mind is that I'm a digital artist by profession, so what were your thoughts if I could draw something for your fic? Like some scene art of existing scenes or new ones too, don't mind much after all it's written by you, and I really love how you write. That's why I'm offering, no pressure tho, it's just like not normal for me to come across writing like this, and I personally don't offer stuff but had to this time. Lemme know what do you think ^-^
Thanks, but I don't need any art at this time. Wishing you much success.
thank u